The process of growing tea commercially is task not easily accomplished. In fact, the only public tea garden in America is located right here in the Palmetto State. It’s found on Wadmalaw Island and features 127 acres of tea plants that typically get harvested from May through October.

And while many people may have heard of the Charleston Tea Garden, few people know the tea grown here is the official tea of the White House.

Google/Michael Schmidt

Is that really such a big deal? Yes, it is. The White House plays host to leaders from around the world all year long — and our South Carolina tea is front and center when tea service is prepared for each of them.

© Robin Jarvis

It’s the American Classic Tea brand that the White House favors — and it’s only grown at Charleston Tea Garden.

Google/Janet Ross

But the tea garden also grows, harvests, dries, and packages nine other tea varieties under the Charleston Tea Plantation name.

Google/Charleston Tea Garden The gift shop at the Tea Garden is a wonderful spot to sample the different varieties of tea before you buy. Try varieties like Carolina Mint, Rockville Raspberry, Plantation Peach, Earl Grey, Breakfast, and more. And also stock up on other tea-related gift items while you’re browsing the displays and shelves.

Want to stroll out among the tea plants?

Google/Kimberly Le You can! The tea garden is open to the public and doesn’t charge any admission fees. The tea is planted in neat rows, which makes harvesting with the Green Giant (seen here, hard at work) easy and accessing the plants so you can see and touch the leaves easy, too.

At the Charleston Tea Garden, visitors can also take a guided tour and see the manufacturing process of tea.

© Robin Jarvis

And for a nominal fee, hop aboard a trolley for a narrated tour of the 127-acre tea garden.

Google/Adam Ninja Enjoy air-conditioned comfort while touring the plantation without having to walk all around in the heat.

Did you know South Carolina is home to America’s only public tea garden, or that the tea grown here is endorsed and served by the White House?

© Robin Jarvis

Have you ever visited the Charleston Tea Garden? It’s a lovely drive to get out to it. You’ll want to set aside at least a couple of hours to explore. Learn more by visiting the website for the Charleston Tea Garden.

Google/Michael Schmidt

© Robin Jarvis

Google/Janet Ross

Google/Charleston Tea Garden

The gift shop at the Tea Garden is a wonderful spot to sample the different varieties of tea before you buy. Try varieties like Carolina Mint, Rockville Raspberry, Plantation Peach, Earl Grey, Breakfast, and more. And also stock up on other tea-related gift items while you’re browsing the displays and shelves.

Google/Kimberly Le

You can! The tea garden is open to the public and doesn’t charge any admission fees. The tea is planted in neat rows, which makes harvesting with the Green Giant (seen here, hard at work) easy and accessing the plants so you can see and touch the leaves easy, too.

Google/Adam Ninja

Enjoy air-conditioned comfort while touring the plantation without having to walk all around in the heat.

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Address: Charleston Tea Garden, 6617 Maybank Hwy, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487, USA